Veggie cookery demonstration at St Helens Carers Centre

VfL Roving Chef Alex recently delivered a cookery demonstration at St Helens Carers Centre, a charity that supports local unpaid family carers.

Alex giving one of his community demonstrations.

The session was Alex's sixth at the centre, which have been popular among the people that use its facilities. Twenty people attended the demonstration to hear Alex share recipes, cookery tips and general encouragement on healthy and nutritious food.

Following the demonstration, attendees sampled Alex's creations. Alex says he generally cooks two main dishes and a pudding. For his latest session, he made mushroom and chickpea curry, and root vegetable tagine. These were served with rice, to which Alex added peas to increase the dish's protein level. “Both of these dishes work well as a one pot meals,” he says. “Although I served rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread or couscous would all work well. The curry is mild and creamy; if you like it spicier add more chilli. The tagine have a lovely sweet flavour with a mild aromatic spice. When making this on its own I often add small potatoes.” For dessert, Alex made apple cake and custard.

During his demonstration, Alex offered handy tips for carers. These included alternative ingredients, batch cooking, ways to increase protein, and suggestions of how both carers and those they care for can cook together. “Carers can sometimes feel isolated,” Alex says, “so the sessions are a way to connect with other carers.”

St Helens Carers Centre offers advice and support for carers, and Alex's sessions are part of its busy programme of events. He says: “Eating a healthy diet is important  for everyone, no matter our age. As we get older our appetite may get smaller, and so can the ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals. Therefore eating a balanced diet is more important than ever. And importantly, carers also need to stay healthy with a balanced diet.”

One participant said Alex's session gave them the confidence to cook a more varied vegetarian diet, while another said it had inspired them to try something new. “Thanks for the tips and hacks,” they said. “You’ve given me loads of ideas to try.”

Alex has his work cut out for future sessions at the centre – participants have requested a range of tasty dishes, including lasagne and pecan pie.

If you're interested in hosting a cookery demonstration in the North West, contact VfL:

alex@vegetarianforlife.org.uk or 0161 257 0887.